EZEKIEL - CHAPTERS 24-26 In Chapter 24, we see two losses (v.1-14) the loss of the City Jerusalem (v.15-24) and the loss of Ezekiel s wife. (v.25-27) It is prophesied a fugitive will bring news to Ezekiel in Babylon of Jerusalem s demise. (v.1, 2) In the ninth year, 10 th month, and 10 th day following the exile of Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:6-15), a.k.a. Jeconiah (1 Chronicles 3:16, 17) or Coniah (Jeremiah 22:24) according to our calendar this time would be January in the year 588 or 587 B.C. the siege of Jerusalem begins! Read: (v.1-10). (v.11) The consumption of the contents of the pot is not enough the caldron itself, infected by the poisonous scum must be destroyed! That is, the city (Jerusalem) itself must be destroyed not merely in terms of the population (although God preserved a remnant). (v.12, 13) Prophet after prophet was sent to them, and although there were times of pseudo-repentance, and short-lived revivals, Judah was not cleansed. (v.14) God assures them judgment will fall! (v.15-19) Ezekiel s wife dies and the prophet is instructed to groan quietly, not to mourn openly. The Lord did so as a sign (Ezekiel performed many physical signs) to the people that they too will not have time to sorrow over the desire of their eyes Jerusalem. The prophet s wife was his joy, and the temple in Jerusalem was the joy of the Jewish people; for no other nation had such a sanctuary, but now the Lord would take the temple away. On August 14, 586 B.C., the Babylonians set fire to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel commanded the Jewish exiles to mourn over the loss of the temple just as he had mourned over the loss of his wife without loud wailing, weeping, or any change in their dress or eating habits. God gave Ezekiel only one day's notice that he would become a widower, but He had been speaking to sinful Judah for many years and they had not listened. The destruction of the temple and the city should not be a surprise to anybody. One sermon cost him his bride; it s a reminder to us that our
allegiance to Christ must be above all others. If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 (v.25-27) But how did the people know that the prophet was telling the truth? God said that a messenger would arrive in Babylon with the news of the fall of the city and the destruction of the temple, and this occurred five months later, on January 8, 585 B.C. (33:21-22). The next day, God opened the prophet's mouth and removed the discipline He had imposed at the beginning of his ministry (3:25-27). From this point on, the prophet was free to speak as he felt led, and at the same time, the focus of his ministry shifted (The Bible Exposition Commentary). CHAPTER 25-32 On the threshold of Jerusalem s downfall, Ezekiel, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, shifted his focus from Judah to other nations. In these chapters we find a collection of oracles against foreign nations. All the oracles are not dated, but most seem to fall within the period of 587-585 B.C. The judgment of these nations reminds us of the fact that all peoples fall under the dominion and discipline of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah Psalm 9:19-20 The fate of every nation whether it be judgment or blessing lies in the hands of Almighty God. The foreign nations are being judged for the same reason Israel and Judah were being judged: moral impurity and oppression of the people. These oracles against the nations are arranged in three sections: Judah s nearest neighbors Chapter 25; oracles against Tyre Chapters 26-28; and oracles against Egypt Chapters 29-32. Chapter 25 Judah s neighbors. (v.1-7) Ammon The ancient kingdom of Ammon was east of the Jordan, in the modern-day nation of Jordan. Because you have said Aha! Those who rejoice over the demise of God s people will be judged by the Lord. Be
careful that when you hear of a brother or sister being exposed that you are not among those who say Aha! Although exposed, they still belong to the Lord! (ttt) Romans 8:33-39. Moab (v.8-11) The ancient kingdom of Moab also resided east of the Jordan in modern-day Jordan. The cause for their judgment is because they said, Judah is like all the other nations. They discounted the special purpose for which God had set aside Israel. As believers, our exceptionalism is founded upon the fact God has chosen us for His divine purpose. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12b-13 To ignore this fact is to deny God s promises, and to devalue the purpose for our existence. Edom (v.12-14) The ancient kingdom of Edom resided southeast of the Dead Sea in modern-day southern Jordan. Edom s vengeance against Judah is the reason for God s judgment. Those who seek vengeance against the people of God for example, modern-day terrorists (ISIS), the nation of Iran, etc. God will utterly destroy! Everyone seems to have forgotten Adolph Hitler! God will avenge and preserve Israel as a nation, because of His promise to Abraham, to give him descendants and the land (Genesis 12:1-7), and God will also avenge and preserve the church, due to the promises we have through faith in Christ! Romans 12:17-21. Philistia (v.15-17) This ancient kingdom resided off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and was inhabited by the ancient Philistines; it was located in the area today called the Gaza Strip, occupied by the Palestinians. The Cherethites were coastal dwellers identified with the Philistines (Zephaniah 2:5). Vengeance with a spiteful heart pure hatred was the cause for their judgment, similar to Edom s. The lesson for us in Chapter 25: Rest in the Lord s vindication! (ttt) Psalm 43
CHAPTER 26 Here we have the oracle against Tyre. The oracles against Egypt and Tyre are two of the longest oracles. Why? Some believe it s because Egypt was the leading military power at this time, and Tyre, being a port city, was the leading economic power. (v.1, 2) The date some believe to be around 587-586 B.C.; the ancient Jewish historian Josephus puts it around 586-585 B.C. (Jewish Antiquities 10.228). The reason for Tyre s judgment was (v.2) the same offense against God s people which the kingdom of Ammon (25:3) committed, saying Aha! Tyre was an ancient port city on the Mediterranean Sea in modern-day Lebanon; called here (v.2) gateway of the peoples. (v.3-5) Many nations Tyre was under siege by the Babylonians for 13 years 585-572 B.C.; Alexander the Great also attacked the city and conquered it in 332 B.C. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander led armies consisting of many nations. Alexander was helped in his conquest by 80 ships from Persia and 120 from Cyprus, in addition to soldiers from other nations. It was Alexander, many believe, who fulfilled the complete devastation of Tyre, in 332 B.C. After conquering the mainland city of Tyre, he set his sights on the island city of Tyre. He had his soldiers take the debris of the conquered mainland city and dump it into the Mediterranean Sea, to build a causeway to the island city, whereby he finally defeated the glorious port city. (v.6-14) is a description of the devastation Tyre would suffer at the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar and ultimately by Alexander the Great (v.14 reiteration of v.4). (v.15-18) We have a lament over the port city of Tyre. (v.19-21) speak of the demise of all nations who rebel against the Lord God; they are relegated to the place of the dead (32:17-32; Job 3:13-19); those who go down to the pit (26:20; 32:18). The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. Psalm 9:17 The ultimate destination for sin is the pit. Apart from Christ, it is mankind s only destiny; but through faith in Him we have everlasting deliverance from the pit! He has
delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14